**A ferry has sunk off the coast of the Pacific island nation of Tonga, with 33 people reported missing.**The ferry, carrying 45 passengers and 30 crew, is said to have gone down 86km (54 miles) north-east of the Tongan capital Nuku’alofa.
The New Zealand Search and Rescue Coordination Centre has launched an operation to reach the victims.
The first ship on the scene rescued 42 people from the sea, according to the New Zealand Press Association.
Other ships and a New Zealand air force plane were expected in the area during the morning.
It is unclear why the ferry sank.